Iran to Retain Enrichment Regardless of Any Deal: Araqchi

“In addressing the talks regarding Iran's peaceful nuclear program, our US interlocutors are naturally free to publicly state whatever they deem fit to ward off Special Interest groups; malign actors which set the agendas of at least previous Administrations,” Araqchi said in a post on his X account on Sunday.

“Iran can only control what we Iranians do, and that is to avoid negotiating in public—particularly given the current dissonance we are seeing between what our US interlocutors say in public and in private, and from one week to the other,” he added.

“Our stance on Iran's rights as a NPT member is crystal clear, and there is no scenario in which Iranians will permit deviance from that. Mastering enrichment technology is a hard-earned and homegrown scientific achievement; an outcome of great sacrifice of both blood and treasure,” the foreign minister said.

“If the US is interested in ensuring that Iran will not have nuclear weapons, a deal is within reach, and we are ready for a serious conversation to achieve a solution that will forever ensure that outcome. Enrichment in Iran, however, will continue with or without a deal,” Araqchi stressed.

His comments came after US special envoy Steve Witkoff claimed that any deal between the US and Iran must include an agreement not to enrich uranium.

"We have one very, very clear red line, and that is enrichment. We cannot allow even 1% of an enrichment capability," Witkoff said during an interview with ABC.

The Iranian authorities have already made it clear that under no circumstances will Iran forgo its nuclear rights, including the right to enrichment for peaceful purposes.

Iran and the US have held four rounds of talks since April 12, mediated by Oman, with the purpose of reaching a deal on Iran’s nuclear program and the removal of sanctions on Tehran.